Saved in the Sea [Tract]

Full Text of Saved in the Sea

Only the birds were up to watch Andrew swim boldly into the early morning sea. With every stroke he put the shore farther away.

Being young and healthy, he never thought of danger until, a little tired, he rested a moment and thought of returning. He realized he had been carried out way too far. He headed for land but couldn’t make progress against the current. He struggled on till, utterly exhausted, he turned on his back and gave up.

Andrew was religious. In fact, he was the preacher for a large congregation. He had lived a careful life and, till this moment, had been on good terms with himself. Now facing death, he realized he had no hope of eternity. He was not ready to die! One thing was missing: He had no link with Christ!

HORROR!

Horror seized him. The waves seemed to be roaring into his ears, saying again and again, “You have preached to others, but you will be a castaway.”

Andrew had preached a Christ and a salvation he had never known himself! His life with its ceremonies he now loathed. He saw them at their true value — dead works. The work that could save his soul must be done by another.

Not for his body, but for his soul, he cried out to God. There alone with God on the waves came his call: “Lord, save me, or I perish!” — a vile sinner. As he cried, the answer came, “The blood of Jesus Christ … cleanseth us from all sin.” “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

He murmured, “Lord, I believe that precious blood was shed for me.” Life and peace came to his soul — then unconsciousness.

“Father! Look ahead! What is that on the water? It must be a man.” The father looked and, grabbing the oar, yelled, “Row for life.” The men rowed, with all their energies. The body sank once and rose again nearer to the boat. It sank again. Hoping it might rise once more, they made a desperate effort. And it did rise within reach.

Strong arms brought the limp body into the boat. Quickly they started efforts to revive him. By God’s mercies, willing hands carried him ashore, a living, breathing man — living in two ways: possessing now natural and eternal life.

GOD DOES THE WORK

A week later, in that same boat, Andrew told the fishermen what the Lord had done for his soul when death and judgment had threatened him. He spoke to his rescuers of Jesus the Saviour and of the impossibility of doing anything to save ourselves. The work must all be done by Him, or we will be forever lost, he said, and he read to them from God’s Word: “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) … not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:5,9).

“When you saw me in the water that morning, could I help myself? I didn’t help you to save me; you did all the work, and I got all the benefit.

“Now, don’t you see how it is with the Lord? He, the sinless One, suffered for us. He took our place and offers us His place. He did all the work, and we get all the benefit of it.”

More than one of those fishermen received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. What about you? What have you done to save yourself? What can you do? NOTHING. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).